Soma

Nectar of the Immortals

The Emperor said thusly: "Wisely have I partook in the drink of ages, that dew of the heavens that spilled from the unwaking tears of The Godhead."

"With it, I shine like flames, see the unseen, and am preserved from malady, my spirit overflowing with consciousness and my body overflowing with vitality."

"Those who drink in Soma, this consciousness, prolong their existence with enlightenment and the infinite glory of The Oversoul radiating from within."

"The vagrancy of material life denies Humanity our home in transcendence, yet it is within the grasp of every individual, great or small."

"Eternity lies ahead of us, and behind. Have you drunk your fill?"

- The Absolute Mantras, Epilogue, Verses 26-30

Mechanics & Inner Workings

Soma induces an exhilarating trance in those who consume it - ancient warriors recovering from their wounds would drink it on the battlefield before combat started, and it would fill them with enough vigor and energy to slice spears down the haft. It is given to the honored sick, to cure their ailments and restore their youth. The Transcendent Emperor himself would sacrifice entire jars of soma to honor The Godhead every decade, and was said to be bestowed with clarity because of it, leading to his attainment of Moksha.

The effects of soma are attributed to its ingredients - which, sadly, vary wildly from recipe to recipe. The recipe for "true" soma was lost around 560 AC, when the 14th Emperor, Shìbīng Aldìfāng decreed its production illegal in what was widely considered a political move intended to bring the unruly Cult of the Emperor to heel - only the Emperor and those closest to him would know the secret of the holy drink, as, in his eyes, the Emperor was the man closest to The Godhead and was the only one fit to hold such knowledge. Many "secret" ways of making soma were said to survive, but none were as potent as they once were, and scholars have determined that several were outright fabrications. In the modern day, it can be said that no living person has ever experienced the effects of true soma.

Manufacturing process

After compressing and distilling the ingredients into a liquid, one mixes in salt and mustard seeds, then seals the mixture into a bowl or other container. Typically, the material used in sealing bears a glyph written in Atmanudra and is consecrated by a local sadhu or sadhvi. Once sealed, the container is buried outside a temple or other holy site and left to ferment for at least one year. Reopening a jar of soma is often a cause for celebration and festivity among most communities.

Significance

Soma is an ancient and divine drink, said to fall from the sky when the sufficiently enlightened gather in large groups. Sages maintain the belief that soma is Kaprana given pure physical form, untainted by any of The Elements. The Cult of the Emperor believe that its consumption allows one to come closer to understanding The Godhead by perceiving its immaterial aspects, and that no material in Zamzara is as holy or as vital to the achievement of Moksha. Soma is critical to the belief system of the Animists - its mind-altering properties breaks down the unnatural barriers that the human mind raises in response to the chaos of the material world, and is preferable to all other forms of communion with the universe.

Item type

Consumable, Magical

Related Condition

Moksha

Rarity

Rare

Raw materials & Components

The true ingredients are unknown, but it is commonly made with a mixture of poisonous plants or mushrooms that can be found locally.

Soma (Item)

Basic Restorative Item
Effect: Heals the target 150 Hit Points, removes all Injuries, and cures any Status Afflictions. Also revives fainted targets and sets them to 100% Hit Points. The Frequency of all Moves and Abilities are refreshed.
Value: $4000
Cannot be purchased in stores due to its rarity and value.